2011 Fiat 500: Specs And Auto Insurance

If you don’t remember when Fiat hit the streets of the U.S. nearly a half century ago, frankly, you don’t want to. The response by North American drivers was one of disbelief by its cheap quality and unreliability. But due to the recent Chrysler merger, Fiat’s are supposed to be a common sight on the road in the near future. The Italian based company is expected to release the Fiat 500 to the Chrysler showroom floor late 2010.

The Fiat 500 design is similar to that of the MINI Cooper, and not surprisingly, was designed by the same individual, Frank Stephenson. But what differs greatly between the cars is what’s under the hood, and how big of a dent it’ll put in your back pocket.

Running on an eye-opening 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, maxing 94 horsepower, don’t expect to be winning any racing medals anytime soon. But if you’re not concerned about speed, the Fiat 500 can lift quite a burden on your finances.

When it hits the showroom in late 2010, it’s expected to become one of the best cars for fuel economy in the U.S., averaging almost 40+ mpg. Although no numbers have been officially released, the cost of the Fiat 500 is expected to be quite affordable. In terms of auto insurance, the Fiat is expected to be one of the most affordable in the U.S. due to its low cost, small engine, and high fuel economy.